The Łukasiewicz – Upper Silesian Institute of Technology (Łukasiewicz – GIT) has launched a state-of-the-art laboratory for high-temperature oxidation of materials in a water vapor atmosphere. This represents an important step toward a better understanding of the processes that determine material durability in the energy and aerospace industries.
Hydrogen, considered the fuel of the future for transport and energy, continues to pose significant challenges for researchers. In particular, there is still a lack of detailed knowledge about how alloy composition, temperature, and the presence of water vapor – a byproduct of hydrogen combustion – affect high-temperature oxidation processes. The new Łukasiewicz laboratory was established to fill this research gap.
Capabilities of the New Laboratory
The laboratory is equipped with two specialized high-temperature furnaces manufactured by Carbolite Gero:
- Furnace for oxidation in a dry air atmosphere, enabling tests on materials such as nickel superalloys, steels, TiAl alloys, and protective coatings.
- Furnace with water vapor injection, allowing experiments under conditions similar to real hydrogen combustion processes.
These furnaces allow experiments at temperatures up to 1600°C for short-term tests and 1500°C for long-term testing.
Additionally, the laboratory features a Bruker FTIR spectrometer for advanced exhaust gas analysis, including monitoring the water vapor content inside the furnace. Oxidized samples are subsequently examined using electron microscopy as part of the Research Group: Material Properties and Structure Studies.
Research Applications
Research conducted in the laboratory is crucial for the development of new materials in aerospace and energy sectors, including components for gas turbines, hydrogen fuel cells, and other systems operating at high temperatures in water vapor atmospheres.
The new Łukasiewicz – GIT laboratory addresses the growing needs of industry for safe and sustainable hydrogen applications as well as innovative high-temperature materials.
Contact:
Radosław Swadźba, PhD, DSc
e-mail: radoslaw.swadzba@git.lukasiewicz.gov.pl
Phone: (32) 2345 201
Łukasiewicz – Upper Silesian Institute of Technology
K. Miarki 12-14
44-100 Gliwice
